If you wash your own car, you may notice that fine scratches, swirl marks and spider webbing seem to be attracted to your car’s paint like a magnet. If this is the case, then you need a lesson in proper car washing techniques. The bucket grit guard serves as a washboard, keeping dirt off your wash pad and your vehicle.

Washing your car regularly is to exterior car care as changing your oil is to good engine maintenance. As we used to hear on TV, “You can pay me now or pay me later!” As with the engine, dirt and grime are the enemy of your vehicle’s paint, glass, plastic and polished metal finishes. It causes scratching and it’s a catalyst for corrosion. That means that regular washing is essential, but are you doing it the right way?

The Double-Edge Sword of Car Washing

Car washing can be a double-edged sword. That’s because your average jug-o-car-wash product is more likely to strip your car wax than not, leaving you with a dull, unprotected paint finish. Dish washing detergents, a favorite of many car owners, are even worse. Products like Dawn work great cutting through grease and grime, making them a very effective car wax remover. Sure, your car will be spotless, but it won’t have a bit of protection.

The Importance of a Quality Car Wash Soap

If you’re going to wash your own car, be sure to use a quality car wash shampoo product. Trust me, spending a buck or two extra on a good product is money well spent. You can’t go wrong with Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash and Conditioner or Mothers California Gold Car Wash. They are both easy to find at your local auto parts store and they won’t remove your wax protection. Plus, these wash shampoos offer conditioners designed to prevent scratching and maintain the shine.

Cheap Wash Mitts & Household Sponges are a No-No!

If you are already using a quality car wash, and you get swirls and scratches anyway, the problem could be your wash mitt or sponge. Cheap, synthetic wash mitts are bad news, and household sponges are even worse. What your car needs is a high quality wash mitt that holds lots of soapy water and is free-rinsing. I highly recommend a lamb’s wool mitt or one of the big, shaggy microfiber wash mitts. They work great and they don’t scratch, unless you don’t use it correctly.

I can’t tell you how many times I have watched people use their wash mitt, then toss it on the ground while they rinse the car. On the ground the wash mitt picks up dirt and grit like a magnet. Almost as bad is tossing the mitt into the bucket of soapy water where it sinks to the bottom and picks up all of the grit and grime you just washed off. The best solution is to put it across the rim of your wash bucket or use a device called a Grit Guard to keep it off the bottom of the bucket altogether.

Try Using Two Buckets… It Works!

If you are really paranoid about swirl marks and fine scratches (black car owners, listen up), you might want to use the two bucket method. That’s where you have one bucket with your soapy water and a second bucket of clean water for rinsing your wash mitt. This makes your soapy water last longer because you never put your wash mitt into the soap before rinsing it.

The two bucket method has a very practical benefit. Most importantly it keeps dirt and grit out of your soapy water, which keeps it off your car’s paint. It also makes your soapy water and wash suds last longer.

Old Bath Towels for Drying… Never!

After washing, it’s time to dry. A thorough drying off prevents water spots and streaking, but what’s the best towel to use? It isn’t a bath towel, I can tell you that.

Household towels contain polyester threads and backing for durability. Pure cotton is nice and absorbent, but it isn’t strong enough. That’s why bath towels, kitchen towels and beach towels contain polyester. Unfortunately, polyester is stronger that steel and it scratches just like steel wool. If you use household towels to dry your car, they will cause swirl marks.

The old timers used leather chamois. They work great, last a long time, and don’t scratch, but they have to be put through a wringer. A more modern solution is the microfiber drying towel, often called a waffle weave towel. Although these towels are synthetic, they are super absorbent and the cloth fibers are so fine and soft they don’t scratch. You can buy microfiber drying towels at your local auto parts store.

A scratch-free, swirl-free car wash isn’t difficult or a mystery. Use a quality car wash, wash mitt and drying towel and your swirl mark problems will be gone forever.

Discover popular car detailing articles on the Guide to Detailing blog, including more car washing and drying tips that will save you time and money.

Both methods can be stressful to use, however this article will help make your experience a little easier. From the moment you drive off the forecourt, your new car is vulnerable to the everyday frustrations that the road throws at you that is the reason why you need a car paint protection Brisbane.

Get a good battery charger and be sure it is always in your vehicle. Learn how to find the batter charger.

Never underestimate the value of keeping an emergency kit handy. You should put together a kit that includes the tools you need to change a tire, help you get some extra gas and tire changing tools as well.

You should wash your car to keep the rust away. All cars eventually succumb to rust, but you can delay the process considerably by making sure any salt or chemicals are washed off as soon as possible. Make sure you regularly wax your car so as to protect the paint.

Referrals are a great method for finding an auto mechanic. Ask the people you know and trust who they take their recommendations.You can find out about the quality of service and value that way. People can tell you what kind of experience they had to deal with and whether the person was honest or not.

Go over your automobile’s manual and make sure to mark important pages. You might even find the information you have been encountering.

Keep a record of all the repairs you make on your car is fixed or maintained. If further issues develop later, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records.

Don’t leave valuables in your car when it’s being repaired.Mechanics might have to empty the inside of your vehicle and they aren’t responsible if an item is damaged or missing. Empty the trunk and glove compartment.

If you notice your headlights do not shine as brightly as they used to, you may need to clean them. Use a reputable glass cleaner to get the situation dramatically.

While a lot of shops are trustworthy, you don’t want to be paying too much money for the repairs needed. Search for an auto repair shop that specializes in repairing the make of car. These repair shops can better understand the needed repairs for your vehicle.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you do it by yourself. It’s simpler in some vehicles than others, and it’s a lot cheaper than having someone else do it. Ask someone you trust if he can show you how to fix these problems.

Pay attention to the condition of your wiper blades. You may need new blades if the ones you have are streaking or making noises.

The weight of a big key chain. If your keys starts sticking, install new tumblers and use a lighter key chain.

It can be very dangerous to fix your own. Always get someone close at hand to help you in case of emergency. Buy only the highest quality tools that will last and not break easily. This is especially true particularly in the case of the tools needed for changing tires. The jack has to be strong enough to keep the car.That’s why sometimes it’s smart to use a hydraulic jack with approved jack stands that are approved.

There are a few different classifications that determine the quality of parts. New parts are brand new and made solely to a manufacturer’s specifications. Refurbished or rebuilt parts ate those that have been restored to working condition. “Salvage” means that the parts have been used without being improved or repaired.

Even if you think your vehicle just has a minor issue, you should definitely have it looked at. A small problem may grow into a major one if it is left unchecked.

Some unscrupulous body shops replace your tires with even older ones. They profit off of your ignorance. Mark your tires before taking your car to an auto shop. If you find the chalk is missing later on, you’ve been had.

Don’t let a mechanic convince you that an engine flush is a common maintenance visit. This service and it may not something that is typically done during the course of normal maintenance.

A lot of auto repair comes from consistency. Stick with a shop that has gained your trust instead of going to multiple places for work. Different mechanics might tell you something totally unrelated to your problem is wrong. They could also charge different amounts that cause you to pay more for repairs.

Having written proof can help you in the road.

Ask to have your mechanic to give you the old parts when they’re replaced. This can help you feel comfortable that a repair has been performed. This is not important if you get your exhaust system replacement. You should be able to tell if they have a brand new exhaust system.

When you’re getting a car washed, set mats outside and hose them a couple times. Dirt particles can get inside their rubber surfaces and can cause holes. Holes don’t look good and let dirt through.

Find a mechanic who is already familiar with your vehicle. Ask whoever will be responsible for the repairs if they have experience with your particular make and model of vehicle.

Tire wear is something you can avoid if your tires get rotated on a regular rotation. You need to get the tires rotated about every 6000 miles, but it may depend on the model and make of the vehicle. Get yourself good tires if you’re not wanting to be worried about them getting worn very quickly.

Check out your drive axle boots frequently. These are needed to protect drive axle joint. You can inspect this part by turning the wheels of your tires and looking behind them.

Never sign an authorization which lacks a dollar figure. This can make you pay the costs of your mechanic lists. Know exactly what a repair will cost are before signing on the dotted line.

Repairing your vehicle is usually stressful, but you can reduce the stress with this basic approach. Use the advice mentioned above in regards to your auto repairs. The end result is a better car.

It is never a wise idea to dive into the complex world of automobile repairs. You will be surprised by how much you learn. Use our easy online form and the choices below to locate a paint protection Brisbane film installer in your area.

Get a reliable battery charger to keep in your car. Learn how to find the points where the battery charger on your car.

Don’t take an emergency kit for granted. This kit should include specific tools for charging your battery, changing your tire, and an empty container that is appropriate for re-fueling your gas tank.

Ask many questions you have at the shop. Preventing issues can save you a great way of money.

If you are unclear about certain things, ask questions until you do. You surely do not want unpleasant surprises when you get your bill.

Referrals can be helpful for finding a great auto mechanic. Ask the people you know and trust who they take their recommendations.You can gain information about price and value that way. People will let you what type of experience they had and if the person was honest.

Test drive your car before paying the auto repair shop.

Make sure that you are receiving OEM parts. These means they are original parts direct from the manufacturer. Generic parts may be cheaper, but they are not as good. What may seem like a cheap option now can cost twice as much as buying OEM in the first place.

Look out for warning signs that repair company. If they give you the runaround or ignore any questions, then they might not be all that you want them to be. You want to be able to trust the person doing your repairs, so don’t fear seeing someone else.

Always think of how to fix your car before trying to get it repaired. You probably already know that certain mechanics sometime engage in dishonesty if they think they can make a larger profit.

Assemble an auto repair kit to keep in the trunk of your car. Your tool kit should have equipment to change a tire. A good lug wrench and jack are essential. You should have a few screwdrivers with various shapes as well as different wrenches like for this kit.

While most mechanics can be trusted, you don’t want to be paying too much money for the repairs needed. Search for trustworthy shops that specializes in repairing the make of vehicle you have. These types of shops will give you the best bang for your car needs.

Speak with friends and family about auto shop recommendations before you pick a shop. Your family and friends may have some good recommendations for you that will make your search much easier. You should still do some research on the person they tell you about. Check online to see if there is other information or reviews at the shop in question.

Be sure that you make a note of your oil often enough. You have to change it regularly get the oil changed to make sure your car running smoothly.If your oil is not changed on a regular basis, your car could stop working much earlier than expected.

Keep in mind that any DIY repairs can be dangerous. Always have somebody nearby to help you just in case there is an emergency. Buy good quality tools that will last. This is especially when you are investing in equipment to change your tire changing equipment. The jack needs to be reliable so you are safe when you go under the car secure above you. This is why it is wise for you to use quality hydraulic jack with stands.

Check your tire pressure whenever you fill up the tank. Look at the tires and make sure they there is nothing embedded in them. Driving around with corrupt tires can be very dangerous.

AAA is an excellent ally to have on your side when you need auto repair. You can often find discounts for repair costs from AAA.

Although mechanics from your dealer are usually expensive, most of the time they offer the best experience.The mechanics at the dealership are trained to work on your particular model of vehicle you have. They have been trained to fix problems common to your car. They must also utilize regular auto repair training throughout the course of their skills up to date.

Set cash limits on what car work can be done without your authorization.Don’t let the shop to make any repairs as they want after your drop off your car. Set a dollar amount that they don’t call you by phone first.

Always ask questions when dealing with a mechanic. How much time will he need to repair take? What is the work is being done? How much will it cost of the parts? Ask about anything else that you can think of.

Don’t put water in the windshield washer fluid goes. Water is going to be able to clean off your windshield, sure, you could damage it.You need to check this on a regular basis for refill it regularly. Do not insist when the compartment is empty.

Do not try to repair your car unless you have experience doing it. You could end up voiding your warranty by doing the work yourself. This also means you are financially responsible for all repairs associated with your vehicle.

Tire wear is something you can avoid if your tires get rotated on a regular rotation. You should have your tires rotated every 6000 miles, but that depends on the type of vehicle you have. Get yourself good tires to avoid them having trouble with wear.

Take your mechanic for a short drive to show him work on your car’s problem. This allows him to see what kinds of problems your car is having. This is a clearer way to illustrate the issue instead of just hearing about it.

Use the tips here the next time you need auto repairs. Never let a lack of information scare you or cause you to spend unnecessary amounts of money. Take charge of your auto issues, and you’ll make wise decisions going forward.

Pittsburgh, PA / September 5, 2017: Since the launch of 412 Food Rescue, nearly 2 million pounds of good food has been saved from going to waste in Allegheny County and instead distributed to communities in need. Now 412 Food Rescue is bringing these efforts to Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Fayette and Washington counties with the launch of 724 Food Rescue. Cater Sydney dishes up gourmet meals made from local, organic, and freshly sourced products to create innovative & delicious menus.
“We received so many calls from people asking us to expand the service to the 724 area, calls from people wanting to help, calls from people needing help, and calls from donors wanting to help their communities,” says Leah Lizarondo, 412 Food Rescue co-founder and CEO. “This effort is possible because of our partners who saw our impact in Allegheny County and stepped up to make it happen in their county.”

Food waste is a global problem impacting both the environment. Globally (and domestically) 40% of food produced goes to waste. That is enough to end world hunger four times over. 412 Food Rescue is the only food recovery organization in South Western PA solely focused on recovering food before it’s wasted as a solution to hunger.
The program, launching in September, will kick off with a rescue from Farm Aid occurring at KeyBank Pavilion on September 16th.

“Farmers put hard work into growing the quality food that will be served at Farm Aid 2017, and it’s far too precious to be wasted. Everyone, everywhere deserves healthful food,” said Farm Aid associate director Glenda Yoder. “We are proud to partner with 412—and now 724–Food Rescue, which brilliantly combines the power of technology and community to efficiently deliver good food and eliminate food waste.”

Food rescued from the event will be distributed in Washington County at the Burgettstown Apartments, in partnership with American HealthCare Group–an organization that provides Supportive Services in affordable housing communities for both families and seniors.

“When we launched 412 Food Rescue, the housing authorities that we work with were a key partner in expanding the safety net for those in need,” noted Erin Hart, 412 Food Rescue founding board member and American Healthcare Group Director. “They’ve been able to end food emergency calls in the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, we’d like to see that replicated across the region.”

With a focus on prevention and creating healthy lifestyles, American HealthCare Group’s service coordinators partner with 412 Food Rescue, and now 724 Food Rescue, to distribute fresh, healthy food in the communities they serve. “We couldn’t have asked for a better partner. Their mission to enhance the quality of life through health and preventative services dovetails perfectly with our goal to provide healthy food for all,” added Lizarondo.

Michael L. Washowich, Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority, a founding non-profit partner for 724 Food rescue, noted that “Many of our residents, both families and elderly, know true hunger and do without adequate food for portions of each month. With 724 Food Rescue’s generous donors and volunteers, that can change; and we are grateful.”

The response from donors has been enthusiastic as well. Four donors, Giant Eagle, Sysco Foods, Aldo Foods and Waypoint Foods have agreed to regular donations of surplus food to anchor the 724 Food Rescue kick off.
“We are so excited to help launch 724 Food Rescue” noted Marta Napoleon from the family-owned food distributor Aldo’s Frozen Foods in Aliquippa. “Their model of distributing perishable food into the communities that need it makes so much sense and we are proud to work with them. The last thing we want is to see good food go to waste. It makes us incredibly happy to be part of bringing this project to Butler and Beaver County.”

To date, 412 Food Rescue has redirected over 1.8 million pounds of perfectly good food from going to landfills. The organization works with over 250 food retailers, 300 nonprofit partners and over 1500 volunteers. 724 Food Rescue which will pilot with 8 donor locations and 10 nonprofit partners will serve the estimated 122,000+ food insecure individuals in the 5 county area. 412 Food Rescue launched in 2015 with support from individuals and organizations led by The Henry L. Hillman Foundation, The Pittsburgh Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, and BNY Mellon Foundation.

About 412 Food Rescue

412 Food Rescue launched in 2015 to address the disconnect between the fact that 40 percent of food produced in the United States is wasted while one in seven go hungry. Utilizing technology to solve the logistics challenge of retail food recovery, 412 Food Rescue is the only organization in the Southwestern PA region that focuses on food that would otherwise be discarded, impacting not only hunger but also the environment. 412 Food Rescue’s goal is to introduce innovative solutions to eradicate food waste in the region and expand its model to cities around the country. To date, 412 Food Rescue has redirected over 1.8 million pounds of perfectly good food from going to landfills. The organization works with over 250 food retailers, 300 nonprofit partners and over 1500 volunteer drivers, our Food Rescue Heroes.

About Farm Aid

Farm Aid’s mission is to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Farm Aid artists and board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host an annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food. For more than 30 years, Farm Aid, with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has raised more than $50 million to support programs that help farmers thrive, expand the reach of the Good Food Movement, take action to change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms.

About American Healthcare Group

American HealthCare Group brings preventative services and on-site health programming into schools, employer groups, and affordable housing locations across Pennsylvania and nationally. Based in Pittsburgh, PA AHG has been a part of the region’s healthcare industry for close to 40 years, guided by the mantra: “The Future of Healthcare is Ours to Create.” Bringing preventive services to schools, affordable housing, communities and employer groups makes up the core of their services. Their Supportive Services Programming fulfills the role of health, wellness and social services coordinator for agencies and facility owners involved in the oversight of public housing. Because of these initiatives, American HealthCare Group has branched into designing two dynamic programs, Pathways to SmartCare Employee Wellness Program and Farm to Table Pittsburgh.

MICRO POLISH microfiber polishing cloth, blue $23.00 More Add to Car Concours-wax with over 76% Vol. Swissvax Crystal Rock has been painstakingly developed to offer the best automotive wax performance in the world at a realistic price point

Paul Dalton has handled more supercars than your average A-list celebrity and received only slightly fewer column inches in the press. He is recognised around the world for his skill in preparing and protecting the paintwork of the world’s most cherished motor cars.

With 76% by wax volume of pure Brazilian ivory carnauba wax, the waxes have one of the highest Carnauba content of any wax on the market. In effect, it coats a car’s paintwork in a smooth and glossy, yet tough and protective, water-repellent film – and even brings a shine to white and silver. A layer of ‘Paul Dalton’s Crystal Rock Wax’ can last up to 6 to12 months and can be “topped up” with additional layers for even more protection. When exposed to water, ‘Paul Dalton’s Crystal Rock Wax’ swells and closes its pores.

This leads to the beading and sheeting of water that is characteristic of a car that has been treated with this high content Carnauba wax. The more layers are applied, the more waterproof it is. After three layers, one of Paul’s clients has been known to dry his car with a two mile drive caring for your car doesn’t get any better.

No wonder some of the most valuable automobiles in the world are protected with Swissvax Crystal Rock, e.g. the Bugatti Royale of the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, France.

Perfect preparation is the key to the world famous Swissvax finish. The waxes come in a satin pouch with a certificate personally signed by Paul himself.

Concours-wax with over 76% Vol.

Paul Dalton has handled more supercars than your average A-list celebrity and received only slightly fewer column inches in the press. He is recognised around the world for his skill in preparing and protecting the paintwork of the world’s most cherished motor cars.

With 76% by wax volume of pure Brazilian ivory carnauba wax, the waxes have one of the highest Carnauba content of any wax on the market. In effect, it coats a car’s paintwork in a smooth and glossy, yet tough and protective, water-repellent film – and even brings a shine to white and silver. A layer of ‘Paul Dalton’s Crystal Rock Wax’ can last up to 6 to12 months and can be “topped up” with additional layers for even more protection. When exposed to water, ‘Paul Dalton’s Crystal Rock Wax’ swells and closes its pores.

This leads to the beading and sheeting of water that is characteristic of a car that has been treated with this high content Carnauba wax. The more layers are applied, the more waterproof it is. After three layers, one of Paul’s clients has been known to dry his car with a two mile drive caring for your car doesn’t get any better.

No wonder some of the most valuable automobiles in the world are protected with Swissvax Crystal Rock, e.g. the Bugatti Royale of the National Automobile Museum in Mulhouse, France.

Perfect preparation is the key to the world famous Swissvax finish. The waxes come in a satin pouch with a certificate personally signed by Paul himself.

A storyboard is the most often used tool for getting a sense of how an idea will work before putting it down on tape. This article will guide you through the process of storyboard creation, and help you visualize your videos before you press the record button. Once a concept artist done written a script for a film or animation, the next step is to make a storyboard.

Hitchcock is “notorious” for having done it. Spielberg has been known to hire armies of artists to do it. Now, thanks to new technologies, even the most basic videomaker can make use of it. If you don’t do it, in fact, you could be opening yourself up to problems you might not otherwise have.

We’re talking, of course, about visualizing your video project before you shoot. You might have heard of it by another name: storyboarding.

A storyboard is the most often used tool for getting a sense of how an idea will work before putting it down on tape. It involves, simply, drawing a still image of what a final shot might look like. Storyboards consist of a series of images, much like the panels of a comic strip, that give you an idea of how to compose different scenes. Perhaps more importantly, they illustrate how these scenes might (or might not) fit together once you begin editing.

But storyboards aren’t the only method of preproduction visualization. Some people use models, dolls or maps. And with the explosion in desktop video technology, several programs are available that allow you to do this on your computer.

So maybe you’re asking, “Why do I need to go to all that trouble?” The simple answer is: to save yourself more trouble. Visualizing your ideas before you shoot allows you, by yourself, on your own time, to get an idea of what will and what won’t work. True, this won’t solve everything, but it can go a long way toward giving your production a professional finish.
The Greats

As mentioned above, Hitchcock was well known for storyboarding every shot in his films. In fact, he was so meticulous about it that he considered that phase of the production–drawing the storyboards–to be the actual process of making the film. For him, shooting the film was just a necessary evil; the making of the storyboards was where most of the creative work took place. The storyboard not only determined exactly what the shot would look like; it even decided what kind of lens to use. Production for Hitchcock, then, was simly a matter of creating live versions of the storyboards he’d already made.

Who can forget the shower scene from Psycho, its every shot communicating new terror? Or the plane chasing Cary Grant in North by Northwest? If Hitchcock had decided how to shoot either of these sequences on the location, there’s little doubt they wouldn’t have come out as well–as slick, as carefully put together.

But how can drawing a few storyboards have such an effect on the final outcome of a film or video? The main reason is time. Storyboarding is done before your video ever shows up on tape. Rather than spending time with your fully charged and powered up camera in your hand trying to decide what and how to shoot your video, you sit in a room by yourself and go over the script in detail. In essence, you pretend you’re shooting the video and you draw each shot as you go. You can then review these drawings in sequence to make sure everything will go together the way you think it will. If it doesn’t, its best to know this beforehand. That way, you can make changes before you shoot, sometimes eliminating the need for re-shooting.

Another potential method is the use of models. During the production of Raiders of the Lost Ark, for instance, director Steven Spielberg used a model of the Nazi airfield in order to plan the sequence where Indiana Jones fights under the flying wing.

If you’ll recall, that sequence involved Marion (Karen Allen) trapped in the plane while Jones (Harrison Ford) fought the mechanic under the plane while it rotated and then a truck of soldiers pulled up and started shooting machine guns while the gas cans got knocked over and the fuel ran toward the truck and Marion fired a machine gun from the plane and Jones knocked the mechanic under the prop and then–Whew!

Now imagine trying to explain in words a sequence as logistically complicated as this one. Enter the model. With almost no effort, Spielberg was able to show his cast and crew exactly what he wanted. “The plane turns this way,” and “The truck comes in this way.” The results are clear: the sequence stands as a masterpiece of modern pop cinema.

Okay, so you might not have plans to build a scale model of every shot you want to get. Even so, it might help you to lay out your more complicated scenes using some kind of model. Maybe a shoe box could represent your house, and a couple of matchsticks could stand in for your family…you get the idea.

Remember, the main idea behind any form of preproduction visualization is to be prepared. True, this means a lot of planning beforehand, but it can potentially save time and money later.

For Example

Before we get into actual use, it’s probably best to begin with two exercises designed to give you some practical insight into how this whole process works.

For the first exercise, you’ll need a storyboard template. Storyboards used for Hollywood movies are large–usually only one image to an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of paper. But remember, they also have professional artists who do nothing but create storyboards for the movie. If you want to make them that large, by all means, do so. It’s all a matter of how much time and effort you want to put into it.

Because that size is probably a little larger than most people will find practical, we’ve included a storyboard template here for you to copy. It’s probably a good idea to take it out and make plenty of copies now. You’ll need at least one before you continue.

Now get a videotape copy of your favorite movie and put it into a VCR with a good still frame and a remote control. Sit down in front of the TV with a pencil and a copy of your storyboard template.

Now find your favorite scene in that movie, but don’t try one that’s too long. No more than a few minutes is best to start with. It may very well surprise you to see how many shots (or edits) there are in such a small space of film. Just to give you an idea: the shower sequence from Psycho has 52 shots in a span that lasts only two minutes and eight seconds.

So you’ve picked your sequence. Now freeze the frame on the first shot of the sequence and draw a still representation of that image.

“But wait!” you say, “What if the shot is a long pan of the Manhattan skyline finally settling in on a closeup of a man’s face? I can’t draw one picture that says all of that!” You’re right. That’s why there are two methods for indicating motion in storyboards.

The first is to use an arrow to indicate the motion the camera will take. Using the arrow can eliminate the need for a second drawing. In figure 2, for example, we start with a medium shot of a woman and then dolly in to a closeup. This storyboard depicts the opening medium shot; the arrow indicates what the shot will do.

The second method is to use a series of drawings for a single shot. Figure 3 shows the long pan of the Manhattan skyline. Notice how the opening of the shot comes first. An arrow again indicates the direction of the pan. In the second panel, another key phase of the shot appears, another arrow and finally, in the third panel, the final part of the shot. By connecting these and using careful description under each storyboard, you can effectively communicate the shot while using only still images.

So you’re ready to continue. Let the tape roll again until the next shot appears. Freeze frame. Now draw another picture. Continue until you get to the end of your sequence.

For our example here, we’ve recreated the first few shots from Psycho’s famous shower sequence.

Remember, storyboards don’t have to be full of detail. Look at these simple stick figures; though theyre not very detailed, they effectively communicate the way the shot will look. And that’s the idea.

The second exercise is far simpler. It involves getting your hands on the closest thing to printed storyboards that are out there: comic books. Not only can reading comic books give you ideas about composition, they can give you ideas about new ways to communicate motion or action, and ways to draw as well.
Trying It Out

So now you’re ready to try storyboarding one of your own projects. Let’s pretend you’re making a short video (perhaps four minutes in length) called Boy Loses Girl. The story is simple, involving a man getting a call from his girlfriend, leaving his apartment to drive to his girlfriend’s house, talking to her and then leaving the city.

Take your script and read the opening scene. Now close your eyes and think about the way it ought to play on screen. What should be the first image the audience sees? Perhaps you want to open with a wide shot of the house. Maybe you think an extreme close up of the telephone will be better. Both of these shots are different; both communicate different things. But drawing them first and then looking at them in series can only help you see which one you like best. And that also saves you time when youre shooting.

If you’ve decided to go with the closeup of the telephone, then you don’t need to shoot the exterior of the house. And vice-versa. It also saves time in editing because when it comes time to put it all together, you already know exactly how to arrange the shots. Of course, this isn’t to say things won’t or can’t change. But the value of storyboarding is enormous nonetheless.

Continue with this procedure until you’ve storyboarded your whole script. Now look at your drawings. Yes, that’s the way you want your video to look. Now it’s time to ask the question: is it possible?

In order to determine that, check each shot against the location to make sure. In the case of this project, you have three essential locations. If you’re like most low-budget videomakers, chances are you’re going to use your house or apartment for location number one, a friend’s house or apartment for location number two and your own town limits for the final location.

If, for example, you’re planning a wide shot inside your friend’s apartment and it’s a studio, chances are you won’t be able to make it work unless you have a wide-angle lens. Answering this question is yet another way storyboards can help you.

Remember, storyboards allow you to shoot the video before you shoot the video.
Newfangled Ways

The procedure described above is, of course, the old-fashioned way. And if you don’t like to draw–not even stick figures–then thanks to advances in desktop video technology, you don’t have to. Now there are computer-based ways to create storyboards.

ShowScape, produced by Lake Compuframes, combines a script-writing program with a feature that allows the importation of graphics for use as storyboards. It prints these in a side-by-side format–that is, the storyboard panels are on one half of the page while space for descriptive text is on the other half. ShowScape also sells the storyboard forms ready to use in a computer printer with instructions for formatting. ShowScape is available in DOS, Windows or Mac formats.

A similar package is available from Morley and Associates. Called Scriptwriting Tools, this program’s primary use is for script formatting. (Depending on what the script is for, it must follow a certain format. This means that scripts for documentaries are written a certain way, different from those written for television, the movies, or radio programs.) One of the formats Scriptwriting Tools will produce, however, is for storyboards. This allows you to create illustrations on the Mac or import graphics from other files and plug them into a template with three boxes for drawings per page.

Finally, there is PowerProduction Softwares Storyboard Quick, the only package of these three devoted solely to producing storyboards. Using pre-drawn characters and props, you point and click to drag these items into a storyboard frame. The program then allows you to resize items, reverse their direction or create new shot sizes (e.g. long shot, medium shot, closeup). Multiple storyboard formats are available in a variety of frame numbers per page, as well as a variety of aspect ratios. What’s more, you can import scanned images and video captures into the program for use as a backdrop. This means you can take a photo of your location and actually pull it into the computer to use as the background for the storyboards you create.
Not Just Fiction

“This is all well and good,” you say, “but what if I don’t make fictional videos?” The simple answer is: it doesn’t matter. Any kind of video can benefit from the kind of planning that storyboarding provides.

So you’re shooting a wedding video? It’s true, technically you don’t have a script. But in a sense you do. Traditional weddings, at least, follow a fairly set format. Create a simple outline of the service as it’s planned, then think about how to shoot it and storyboard as explained above.

As was the case with Boy Loses Girl, imagine what the first image the audience sees will be. A wide shot of the church? A tight closeup of the groom’s trembling hand? Again, each of these shots is different and communicates different things. Plan the whole shoot this way. Will you shoot the exchange of vows in a two shot (with both bride and groom in the frame)? Or will you intercut closeups of both the bride and the groom? Will you include shots of the presiding clergy member or justice of the peace?

By drawing each shot out, you’ll have a much better idea of what goes together and what doesn’t. What’s more, you can present your plan for shooting the wedding to the bride and groom. Instead of just describing the images, now you’ll be able to assure them they’re getting the best product possible by showing them your ideas.

How about when you shoot your daughter’s birthday only for your familys enjoyment? Storyboarding still serves a purpose by helping you plan what to shoot. And by shooting what you’ve planned, you’ll know that you’ve shot everything you need. Shooting according to your storyboard plan can also prevent needless overshooting. Why shoot five minutes of each present when you’ve planned it so you only need one shot of the whole pile?

Wrapping It Up

Storyboarding, whether you do it by drawing the shots out or working with models, is an effective and easy-to-use tool.

By investing time up front, you can potentially save time and money later. What’s more, by presenting a carefully thought-out plan to those with whom you’re working, your final product will come out looking more polished and professional.

Surfing is a unique sport that challenges our minds and body’s in many diverse ways each time we paddle out. The fact that mother nature doesn’t provide us with a perfect play and practice environment whenever we surf and forces us to battle with wind, wave chops, swell direction, tides, currents, water temperature, flat spells, seasons, and a moving playing field, means that the more time spent in the water (within reason) the better progressions we can make with our surfing skills and abilities. Surf comp developed an app for surfing live events, I have installed it in my IOS and it works well.

This fundamentally means that to get better at surfing requires that your base training, be surfing. Paddling out in a variety of surf spots, practicing skills on different boards and learning to read the ocean should be priority in your surfing training. But and this is a very big but, get ready for point two.

Point Two: Strength Training is Very Important

Conditioning with correct land and water based strength movements, exercises and drills can excel a surfers performance, reduce the likelihood of injury, enhance endurance and increase performance consistency every time you surf. This is especially true if you wish to surf well both now and in the future. The thing is, there is a fine line between doing what is beneficial and what is not. There is also a fine line between balancing time spent on your board and time spent performing surf specific fitness to bring about the best and fastest results.

Let me explain. World class coaches consider time as one of the most important training variables to consider whenever they prescribe sport conditioning programs. Time under tension is a strength and conditioning variable that dictates the outcome of any exercise or movement, therefore extremely relevant to every repetition and every set during your training. Coaches also consider total training time for each individual and each workout, while also taking into account the law of diminishing returns. In the training world this translates to mean that the longer you strength train at any one time then the lower the output or results you can achieve.

For surfing training and conditioning this often further translates into a basic truth we all tend to forget. Less is more. Especially in today’s modern world where we are often time starved to surf train in the first place. In order to improve explosiveness and power (speed x strength) at the same time as developing paddling power and endurance, while also building a strong and supple surfing body, it is of paramount importance we play particular attention to time under tension and total training times. Put simply, spend your time wisely when performing surfing strength conditioning so that you get the most bang for your buck.

Point Three: Focus on Building a Functional Athletic Body

It doesn’t matter if your a complete novice just getting your feet wet or a seasoned pro on the world tour, having a functional surfing body will always equate to better performance in the water. A functional surfing body means good physical alignment and structural integrity which is why so many athletes focus on posture and incorporate things like yoga and dynamic flexibility into their routines. Remember, good surfers are good athletes. Period. Great surfers must therefore be great athletes. People tend to forget this obvious fact. It’s a pretty simple concept. Why should surfers be any different from other athletes?

Point Four: Train don’t Drain.

In most cases this means short, sharp, surf specific workouts are better than longer draining sessions. ‘Train don’t Drain’ is another well know conditioning phrase that expert coaches throw around because it is all too common for exercisers to follow over zealous training programs that lead to energy depletion rather than energy cultivation. This is particularly relevant to surfers who need to be ready to perform at anytime.

You see strength and conditioning is one of the best things to quickly improve your surfing performance yet can hamper your goals if training parameters or movements are not specific to your sport, body and lifestyle. Why do you think professional athletes have coaches? We are not the same and every exercise or training methodology is not suitable for every athlete.

Point Five: Paddle Out as an Athlete

If you want to achieve fast surfing fitness combined with a more powerful surfing body develop an athletic mind set each time you paddle out. This means focusing on improving your surf game every time you surf. Work on your paddling speed whenever you paddle, focus on repeating specific movements you want to master even if it means falling. Most of all it means practicing getting into the right mental mindset prior to surfing and maintaining that mind set in the water.

There are many surfing athletes in the water with high skill levels all wanting to catch the same waves that you are paddling for. Many of them have focused on both land and water based surfing training and like most athletes will have performed most of the hard work prior to entering the water or competition. They may have worked on surf specific fitness in a pool, they could have worked on improving flexibility with weekly yoga classes or they could be hitting the gym with a surf trainer so that they can surf hard when they get to the beach. Either way you look at it, if the athletic conditioning work has been done all ready, you just have to paddle out and surf.

If you are a complete novice just getting your feet wet or a seasoned professional surfer (or anywhere in between) there are always training secrets and strategies to improve your personal performance and your surfing body. To find out more simply visit SurfTrainingSecrets.com

For a free 5 day coaching guide with insider secrets to boost your own surfing performance head over to the website SurfTrainingSecrets.com

If you have questions or comments simply drop me a line, so that I can personally help you improve your surfing body and surfing performance.

While it’s hard to get good terms and prices on vehicles, that is all behind you now. You should be ready to learn how to properly negotiate.You will no longer have to accept a dealer’s offer. Detailcentral.com.au offers a wide assortment of car wash products like shampoos and tools to go with them.

Before you leave to shop for a car, you have to know certain things about what you need. How much money are you afford? How big does your car need to be for the amount of people are you going to be driving around? What gas mileage are you interested in? Do you want a vehicle with four doors or a sedan? Make sure to jot down all the things that you want in your car.

Do some online car shopping ahead of time. You shouldn’t visit a dealership after you know precisely which make and model you want. You should look online and research the makes and models that are most suitable for you, which cars are the safest and other things that a dealership won’t tell you.

You can literally save a lot by doing some research online. When you see the car you want, you can go to the dealer directly or have a local dealer bring the car to you. If the actual dealer offering the car is relatively close by, consider driving up to the dealership to save yourself some extra money.

If your dealer does not want to do this, go to another dealer.

You do not need to pay a car’s sticker price for your next car. This isn’t what each dealer believes it can get from you.

When shopping for a vehicle, don’t go above a set maximum no matter what you’re getting told by the dealer.

Safety is an important feature you should look for in your next vehicle. Anti-lock brakes are a must. Safety is important because you are often in this car.

When you look for a new car, try purchasing something that will cost you less in gas. You may feel the need to buy a V-8 you can tow things.

Call the bank about financing you need for the vehicle you are interested in.This is important for your own security. Though dealership finance departments may be able to secure a lower rate for your car loan, it’s still wise to know what the interest rates will be prior to shopping.

Do not mention trade-ins, down payments or incentives until after you have a firm price on the car you want. These should all be subtracted from the base price. This will help you get a real deal.

Purchasing a new vehicle can be both frightening and exhausting at the same time. There are several online sites that allow you can conduct a side-by-side comparison shopping of different vehicles and models. This can save you in making a decision sooner.

You must have an upper limit on your number in mind before stepping onto a car lot.

Ask if the car can be inspected by a third-party mechanic. The mechanic you’re cool with should be trustworthy. Don’t use the mechanic your dealer suggests. A good mechanic will let you know what condition the vehicle is priced reasonably and free of defects.

Avoid purchasing any used cars. This decision that you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. You need to aim for at least a two or three month warranty in place upon purchase.

The seller’s goal is to get as large of a salesperson is making all the money they can. It seems to go without saying, but some people don’t really get what’s going on when dealing with salespeople. Be on the lookout for any extra costs and additions that can be attached to a sale. Even bargain cars can become pricey if saddled down by hundreds or thousands.

Consider a car’s fuel economy during your car buying process. A car with better gas mileage may be more expensive, but over five years you will save a lot of money on gas. Think about all of this before choosing a vehicle that fits your car.

A car with a reasonable price tag might ultimately set you think is reasonably priced may appear otherwise after you take the cost of insurance into consideration. You want a car that has reasonable insurance rates as well as a balance between cost of the auto and insurance.

You shouldn’t have to pay for that fee. If they insist, walk away. They will most likely not let you and give in.

When a salesperson presents your offer to the manager, keep in mind that he will not return with the lowest offer the first time. Make another offer and once they give the manager this, and realize that whatever they bring back that time will likely be the best offer. They want to sell you the car, thus they are likely to stop wasting time by then.

For instance, if you plan to use the vehicle to travel far to work, figure out how you can benefit from hybrids.

Find out which fees are included in the price. Different cars will have different insurance costs, fuel efficiencies, insurance, and resale value. Look into the gas requirements, specialty oil change requirements, and what replacement parts cost before you buy it. These are all factors that can make your actual cost vary significantly.

Watch out for lower monthly payments that are too low. It’s easy to become distracted by the need to find a payment that fit into your monthly budget.

Check into your financing options before you start looking for a car. You will have a better idea of what you can search for vehicles within that range. You will know exactly what you can also look forward to not being swayed by various low down payment offers if you’re able to create a budget in your mind prior to starting any kind of car deal.

Do you now feel that you have the confidence necessary to control the situation the next time you buy a car? You ought to be more confident, seeing as these tips will be of great use. Don’t feel confused or baffled by the dealer. You are informed and ready to get a great deal.

Every person that creates a website wants success. SEO will assist you to maximize your site come up first in a search. But in order to achieve this type of success doesn’t happen without first understanding how the SEO game is played. Use this article to help you with your SEO tips. Our seo consultant Sydney will walk you through the SEO audit and answer any questions you might have about Search Engine Optimization and your website.

Coding is an important element in search engine optimization if you are using SEO.For example, if you have JavaScript and the code isn’t done well, search engine spiders cannot index it.

This means repeating keywords should be repeated as much as possible without making the flow of the writing. Since search engines evaluate the density of keywords, this will help boost your rankings.

This is very useful for clients who found you through YouTube.

If you are naming your URLs for each individual page, it is important to keep in mind that spiders cannot identify certain language. This confuses search engines a great deal, especially if keywords are not incorporated.

This information comes from metrics like Quantcast scores. Discussion areas are a wonderful way to interest visitors in spending time on your site.

Ask an educational website or a non-profit to link to your affiliate. Search engines look at results from these sites differently and rank them higher because they are considered reputable sources. Provide useful content that will entice reliable websites to feature your site. Create valuable content that these organizations will find worthwhile.

A key to search engine optimization is to include a site map for your website. Search engine spiders will be able to access your content much easier with a site map in place. A large site might require more than 1 site map. A good rule to go by is to show only 100 links on any given site map.

Users aren’t going to spend time at a site unless they can find the information they need, so bettering your content is the simplest way to boost traffic.

Use descriptive title tag to make sure that the search engines will understand your content. Your title tag should be 60 characters or less, as this is the limit of the majority of search engines. They will also tend to give less weight to terms after that point.

Many people are under the impression that simply including keywords in comment tags will create a more visible to search engines.

It is often thought that it happens automatically. Check often to ensure that your website is still present and is being located.

Think about making a podcast to your website. Podcasts are audio or visual content, may be streamed live or pre-recorded, and contain information in which the customer is interested. You should use meta descriptions of the podcasts show up in search engine spiders can index them properly for ranking.

Captions are important to the SEO tool. This means that sites with a great deal of photos or newspaper articles linked can use this to their advantage, take advantage of this and use captions which are rich in keywords to improve your visibility and traffic.

You will give your SEO a boost by using off-site linking to reputable websites. This signals that your site is a credible source of your link usage. Search engines place more importance to relevant off-site links than they do to inter-website links. To maximize your rank, find linking options that will also link to your website.

Using keywords that relate to your products will help the search engines find your articles. This can all make articles on your website smoothly. Your primary keyword should be included in your article title, summary and also in the body approximately 5 times, too.

Make sure that your search engine optimization.While you will need to include important keywords that the bots are looking for, they are not the ones making the purchases, so you can optimize the content afterwards. You need to make your site to be readable at all times. You are sure to fail if it’s not.

You need to get with a service that does not block your information on domain ownership. Google may flag you as questionable and won’t even rank your site.

If you don’t keep track of your standings then you will not know if your efforts are paying off. You can use either Alexa or the Google toolbar to check your page rank.

Using keywords in your structure and content will still give your ranking on most search engines other than Google or Yahoo!.

Link directories will link you back to yourself, but they require you to have quality links and legitimate sites. Many directories are design flaws or old sites. Make sure you research every link before affiliating yourself with other quality sites.

This will seriously improve the ranking given to your rankings by search engines. Meta descriptions serve as calls to action, as they often appear in the brief website description beneath the hyperlink of your website. Most systems provide boxes where you tweak the meta description for each page of your website.

For example, you could include a list of tips on how to select the particular product you are selling, or including user reviews will increase your search engine ranking.

Use SEO to help you get more traffic you need on your site. The goal is to rank as highly as you can so you can get a steady flow of traffic. You can use a pay per click engines to submit listings quicker. This will be something you continuously.You will also need to check your ads and monitor your bids when you need to.

Be sure to name your images with keywords that search engines can identify and use them. You may have your business name in your banner title, but if you have a background image, be certain to exclude keywords in its title.

SEO is a very general strategy that you will want to master. There are many tactics for getting your site ranked higher. Use these tips to get started.

If you are thinking of holding an event in Sydney, and also you quit to think of it, you could realize that there is a dreadful great deal of work to do to make certain that your party runs efficiently, and is an event that your visitors will certainly keep in mind for a long period of time to come. You desire them to keep in mind it for the right factors, not the wrong ones. Corporate catering of Sydney is the definition of professional catering and has been providing excellent experiences and hospitality to the Sydney area for over a decade.

In order to get it right, party event catering planning in Sydney has to be – well – prepared! There is much more to it compared to just sounding around all your good friends and welcoming them over for the day, or the evening. That is truly the easy bit, as well as you may well have done that just before you understand that you could simply potentially have attacked off more than you can eat.

To begin with, unless you have a big family and also a huge house, it is likely that your cooker only has four hobs and one stove. After all, that is all that the majority of houses require. Suddenly you need to prep meals for perhaps 20 or 30 individuals a lot more if you have actually truly gone overboard as well as there is no chance that you are visiting do that with the average family cooker.

Couldn’t I Make It A Barbecue Celebration?

OK. The weather condition in Sydney is balmy, the sunlight radiates for 340 days a year, so we ll make it a bbq party. Right.

The people that acquired offered initially would nearly be ready for their next meal by the time you had actually finished cooking for the last couple. There is much additional to social event catering preparation compared to you would certainly understand.

Exactly what Regarding A Cold Buffet?

We wear t prefer to state this, but also for the most part serving a cold buffet suggests preparing a lot of meals prior to the guests arrive, as well as letting it awesome. You have to prepare it so that it all suits with each other and also looks pretty.

For example, permit s state that your piece de resistance is visiting be a huge salmon. You need to prepare it, allow it amazing, location it on a recipe, and embellish it with herbs, vegetables, tossed salad, or whatever you want, to make sure that it looks as though it has been done by expert food caterers.

It is likewise very likely that a salmon large enough for your functions succeeded t match your oven in the first place.

For any type of celebration of even more than around a loads folks, you will certainly find that your cooker just gained t cope, and you could have to invest so much time on prep work that by the time your visitors arrive all you will really feel like doing is dropping right into bed, rather than playing the best host.

Hmmm. What Concerning The Plates And Cutlery?

It is quite likely that you simply put on t have good enough of these to cater for also a small event, allow alone one of 30 or even more. It saves on the washing up, however you wish your celebration to be remembered for being a remarkable success, not something that you may view at the local church fete.

Yes, there is a lot more to party catering preparation, if you intend to have a celebration that is hailed as a roaring success, compared to you could at first think.

ASSISTANCE! What Can I Do?

Similar to most factors in life, there are always folks around that are specialists and could ensure that whatever you need is done perfectly, since it s their work. At Chilterns Wedding catering & Events we have been planning party food catering preparing in Sydney for years, as well as although we say so ourselves, we are respectable at it.

We have all the equipment that you will ever before have to hold your event, and also we are experts when it involves event food. Not to place too fine a factor on it, our whole team contains dedicated foodies which enjoy nothing far better compared to preparing, and afterwards producing, meals that will just make your mouth water.

We love to consume the very best ourselves, however we obtain great satisfaction from providing the exact same for people. Yes, it s just how we make our living, yet at the exact same time we get a bang out of it, as well as we like absolutely nothing more than when our customers write, phone, and email us after their event to tell us the amount of their visitors enjoyed it.

Offer us a call now, or send us an email, and inform us exactly what your suggestions for your party are. Rely on us to make it occur.